Men's rugby
Kevin Swiryn is Awarded the 2008 High Performance Grant from the United States Rugby Football Foundation
Saint Mary’s senior Kevin Swiryn has been awarded yet another honor for his outstanding 2007-2008 season. Kevin is the recipient of the 2008 High Performance Grant from the United States Rugby Football Foundation (USRFF).
The award entitles Kevin to participate in an intensive three-week High Performance rugby training and development course, which will cover all facets of development into an elite-level rugby player. Topics include important off-the-field skills such as nutrition and career planning, as well as position-specific study and rugby skills training. The course will be held at the International Rugby Academy of New Zealand in Wellington, from Sunday, May 18 through Friday, June 6. Read More..
American Rugby News Announces the Inaugural Down Under All American Team
Wednesday, May 7--American Rugby News has recently named their inaugural All-American Team, sponsored by Down Under Rugby. Three Gaels have been recognized for their outstanding play this year: freshman scrumhalf Chad Clark, senior inside center Kevin Swiryn and junior 8-man Brandon Vedder. Read Full story...
American Rugby News Announces Final Rugby Standings: Gaels Ranked #2
Tuesday, May 6-- American Rugby News recently posted the final standings for the 2007-08 Season. ARN ranked the Gaels as the #2 team in the nation.
Brian Lowe, ARN’s editor, writes: “The Gaels are ranked ahead of BYU for several reasons. They finished with a better overall record, they were second only to Cal in the total number of points scored all season, and they have the second best points differential in the country.” Read Full story...
Gaels End Season with 41-31 Loss to Cal in Semi-Final
Friday, May 2--Palo Alto, Calif.—The Saint Mary's Men's Rugby team lost to Cal this afternoon by a score of 41-31, in the team's first-ever semi-final match. The Gaels end their season at 20-4 overall.
The Gaels played a tough match from the opening kickoff, though Cal got on the board first with three converted tries, making the score 21-0. Pat Grass ('11) blocked a kick in the first ten minutes to keep the ball in the Gaels' possession.
With that momentum, prop Matt Crawford ('11) scored the Gaels' first try, converted by senior flyhalf Matt Leatherby. Two minutes later, Saint Mary's scored again on a bobbled pass from senior wing Ryan Martens to freshman fullback Austen Mount, who was following closely in support and scored in the corner. The unconverted try by the Gaels and a penalty kick by Cal put the scoreline at 29-12 at halftime, in favor of the Golden Bears.
In the second half, Saint Mary's kept the pressure on and spent most of their time on the attack. Cal struck first, putting the score at 36-12, and SMC came back with a score of their own. Freshman scrumhalf Chad Clark touched the ball down under the posts to make the score 36-17, and Leatherby converted to make the score 36-19. Cal scored another unconverted try about five minutes later.
The Gaels re-gained their strength and momentum near the end of the game, again scoring two tries within minutes of each other. With three minutes to go, sophomore lock Kyle Batten scored and Leatherby converted to bring the score to 41-26.
Capping a 5-year career with the Gaels, senior hooker Conor Coyne scored the Gaels' last points, touching down a try as time expired. Leatherby's conversion attempt was only inches off, hitting the left goalpost to leave the final score at 41-31.
Highlights of the Gaels' season this year include a South American tour and several upset wins. With the leadership instilled in the group and the youth and skill present on the team, Saint Mary's looks to return a strong team next year.
The Gaels would like to thank everyone who supported the team this season!
SMC Beats Kutztown, Will Face Cal in Semi-Finals
April 19, 2008--The Gaels came back from a 22-10 halftime deficit to earn a 37-25 win over Kutztown. With the win, they advance as one of the final four teams in the USA Rugby National Guard Men's Collegiate Division I championship hunt.
Saint Mary's will face local rival UC-Berkeley in the semi-final match, to be held on Friday, May 2 at 3 p.m. on the Steuber Rugby Stadium at Stanford University.
Rounding out the final four are University of Colorado and BYU, who will play at 5 p.m. on Friday. The winners will move on to the Championship game, which will be held on Saturday, May 3 at 5 p.m. in the same location.
If you wish to support your Gaels in person, tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students and military personnel. Tickets will only be sold at the admission gate on game days.
Gaels Beat Zoomies to Move on in the Playoffs
April 18, 2008--Gael Rugby continues to advance in the USA Rugby Men's Collegiate Division I playoffs, beating Air Force 50-42 this afternoon to earn a place in the Round of Eight.
SMC will play tomorrow, Saturday, April 19, at 2 p.m. They will face the the winner of the Bowling Green-Kutztown match.
With Win Over Davis, Gaels Move on to Round of 16
April 5, 2008--The Men's Rugby team beat UC Davis 29-22 on Saturday, punching their ticket to the next round of competition in the Men's Collegiate Division I National Championship.
Saint Mary's will travel to Albuquerque, New Mexico to play at Balloon Fiesta Park, April 18-20,2008. As the Pacific Coast's #3 seed, the Gaels will play their first game against Air Force on Friday, April 18, at 2 p.m.
Head Men's Rugby Coach Tim O'Brien Named “College Coach of the Year”
May 14, 2007 Rugby web site American Rugby News (ARN) has named Tim O'Brien as their inaugural college coach of the year. The honor was announced on Monday. Read Full story...
Men's Rugby Ends Season With 17-24 Loss to Navy
April 21, 2007---State College, Penn. The Saint Mary's Gaels ended their spectacular season in the USA Rugby Round of Eight, with a hard-fought 17-24 loss to the Navy Midshipmen. Read Full story...
Gaels Upset Army 31-27; Will Face Navy in Round of Eight
April 20, 2007—State College, PA With a try scored in the last four minutes of the game, the Saint Mary's Men's Rugby team pulled off an upset of the #5 seed Army Black Knights at Penn State on Friday night. Read Full story...
